By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
After a .500 season in 2021, Neosho softball took a huge step forward last season.
The Wildcats posted a 24-7 record and second place finish in the Central Ozarks Conference – a program best – before falling to Joplin in the district tournament.
Heading into her seventh season at the helm, head coach Catie Cummins will look to field replacements for a talented senior class from a relatively inexperienced roster.
“We have one senior with no varsity experience, three juniors and 18 underclassmen,” Cummins said. “After losing seven seniors we will be young, but experienced on the mound.”
A quartet of talented returnees will lead the Wildcats this season in junior shortstop Beclynn Garrett (.505 AVG, 41 RBI, 5 HR, 12 SB), junior pitcher/utility Carleigh Kinnaird (6-3-3, 2.347 ERA, 66 K, .360 AVG, 17 RBI, 1 HR, 1 SB), sophomore outfielder Autumn Kinnaird (.505 AVG, 33 RBI, 5 HR, 32 SB) and sophomore pitcher Olivia Emery (10-4-2, 1.813 ERA, 88 K, .265 AVG, 8 RBI, 2 SB).
Autumn Kinnaird, Garrett, Emery and Forrest were all-conference selections last season, and Autumn Kinnaird, Carleigh Kinnaird, Garrett and Forrest received all-district honors.
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With a bevy of open spots on the roster, Cummins also expects a host of varsity newcomers to make impacts this season, including Avyn Blair, Addy Hart, Kaylynn Pruitt, Sadee Depriest, Ashlyn Stevens, Abbie Clark, Kynden Smith and Journey Arnall.
While Neosho won’t have a great deal of experience heading into the fall campaign, its lineup will feature plenty of versatility, of which Cummins hopes to take full advantage.
“We have multiple people that can play multiple positions,” Cummins said. “That will help because both pitchers will play in the field too. Each option could look a little different.”
In the circle, the Wildcats will look to Carleigh Kinnaird and Emery to keep opposing hitters off balance and lock down scoring opportunities.
“We will be experienced on the mound and that is a key,” Cummins said. “Carleigh and Ollivia will provide all the varsity innings for us this season. We will be young around them, but my goals and expectations for the season are to win the COC and districts.”
Neosho opens its season Aug. 25 at home against Glendale.
